Jackson couldn't believe it, he was sat across the kitchen table from his brother, the brother he hadn't seen in over seven years. He was in complete shock.

"So, how are you?" he asked

Matt nodded, "I'm good," he said, "been out of the country for a while, Spain mostly but I decided to come home for a bit and see the family."

Aaron who had been making drinks placed a mug of tea in front of Matt then in front of Jackson before sitting himself down next to his boyfriend. Jackson turned and smiled at him, Aaron touched Jackson's leg under the table letting him know that he was there for him even though he was still in shock about Jackson having a brother, he had never mentioned this Matt and surprisingly neither had Hazel, why would she not mention having another son.

"It's nice to finally have a decent cup of tea," said Matt as he drank from the mug Aaron had given him.

Jackson was looking at Matt wondering what he was doing here, he'd not heard from him since before his parent's had split up and they didn't really get along much before that, and here he was sitting across from him having him believe that he had come back to see his family. "Have you seen Dad?" asked Jackson curiously.

Matt shook his head. "No, I only knew where you were because I saw Pete in town and he said that you had your own building firm, so I googled you and it had the contact address as Emmerdale, so I came straight here and asked around, an old lady near the pub said you lived here," he took another drink of tea then continued, "I hear dad and Hazel split up."

Aaron turned to look at Jackson because of the last comment, Matt had called Hazel by her name and not mum. Jackson looked at him, "Matt's my half brother, his mum was dad's first wife, he came to live with us when he was about fifteen, but him and mum didn't get on so he left and that was the last time we saw each other." Jackson and Matt looked at each other, both finding the situation a bit awkward, they didn't really know each other that well so finding things to talk about was hard. Matt finally broke the silence.

"Have you seen dad? You could tell me where he is so I could go see him."

Jackson looked at Aaron then back at his brother, "dad and I haven't spoken since him and mum split, but he is still in the same house so you should have no problems finding him." Matt looked shocked, "really, why, what happened?" Jackson just shook his head, "I took a side and picked mum's, dad didn't like it so we haven't spoken since." Aaron turned to look at Jackson but Jackson kept looking at Matt not meeting Aaron's gaze. What was he doing thought Aaron, why wasn't he telling Matt the truth, why hadn't he just said that Jerry had hit him when he told him that he was gay and said that he never wanted to see Jackson again.

Matt could tell that Jackson didn't like talking about his dad so he thought of something else to say.

"So, your living here," Matt said as he looked around the kitchen, Jackson nodded, "what about your love life? Any girlfriends on the scene," he asked.

Aaron could feel Jackson tense beside him and they looked at each other, Matt didn't know that Jackson was gay, then how could he, he had left home before Jackson had come out to his parents. "No." said Jackson, turning to look back at Matt and at the same time moving his leg so Aaron's hand was no longer touching him. Aaron couldn't believe it, Jackson wasn't putting Matt straight about him being gay.

"So how come you are living here," he asked.

Jackson swallowed, "My flat got flooded about six months ago and Paddy, Aaron's dad, offered me a place to stay and I've been here ever since," Jackson was kicking himself, why couldn't he tell Matt the truth, why was he hiding it.

Matt smiled, "your friend's dad sound's like a nice bloke."

"He is," said Jackson who turned and smiled at Aaron, but Aaron wasn't smiling back, he was looking at Jackson with a thunderous look on his face, he couldn't believe what he was hearing and he didn't want to hear anymore, Aaron got up made some excuse and went upstairs.

Matt looked at Jackson questioningly, Jackson just shrugged, "he's not good with people."

A while later, Aaron, who as sat on the edge of his and Jackson's bed, heard the front door close and then footsteps coming upstairs. He looked up as the door started to open slowly. Jackson smiled sheepishly at him and shut the door behind him.

"Aaron, please let me explain."

Aaron shook his head and stood up facing his boyfriend, "explain what Jackson, explain that you didn't tell your brother that you are gay and that I am not just your friend but your bloody boyfriend." Aaron was that angry that tears had started to form.

Jackson took a step towards him, but Aaron backed away. "Don't you come near me, how could you do that to me after all the crap you gave me about hiding my true self and not wanting my friends and family to know that I was gay,"

Jackson was crying now. "please Aaron, I know I'm being a coward but I couldn't just come out with it there and then." Aaron shook his head, turned and walked to the window and looked out over the village. Jackson walked slowly over to Aaron and stopped behind him, "I'm sorry Aaron, please believe me. I never meant to hurt you. We've arranged to meet tomorrow night in Hotten for a drink and I'll tell him then, I promise. You mean the world to me Aaron, you know that right," he moved closer to him. "Please Aaron," he said as he gently touched his boyfriends arm and turned him round to face him. "I love you."

"I love you too, but it felt like you were ashamed of me, of us, and it hurt Jackson, it really hurt."

Jackson cupped Aaron's face with his hands and kissed his lips lovingly, "I know and I'm sorry and I promise you it will never happen again." He pulled Aaron to him and they stood there in each other's arms, Aaron glad that Jackson was going to tell his brother the truth and Jackson wondering how he was going to tell his long-lost brother that he was gay and in love with Aaron.

tbc

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